IMPACT CEO

Duane Donner
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Christianity

Impact CEO exists to inspire and equip Kingdom-minded business leaders to live fully integrated lives — where faith, leadership, and business integrate for eternal impact. Hosted by Duane Donner, Founder and CEO of Founders Advisors and Abide & Lead, each episode features authentic conversations with CEOs, founders, and industry leaders who are building companies that are making an eternal impact.

  1. 4h ago

    28 | Protect the Mission - Brian Shepler

    In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Brian Shepler, President and CEO of Blue Trust, for a powerful conversation about faith-driven leadership, biblical stewardship, building a healthy company culture, and protecting an organization's mission for generations. Brian shares his journey from the demanding world of Wall Street at Goldman Sachs to leading a financial advisory firm built on biblical principles. Along the way, he discovered that true success isn't simply about financial achievement, it's about aligning your work with your faith, protecting your family, and using the resources God has entrusted to you to make an eternal impact. Together, they explore how Blue Trust has spent decades helping families steward wealth with purpose while intentionally building a company culture rooted in faith, generosity, excellence, and integrity. Brian also shares the story behind Blue Trust's Mission Protection Trust, a structure designed to protect the firm's mission and core values through future leadership transitions. It's a compelling example of how businesses can think beyond short-term success and build something that continues making a difference for generations. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, business owner, or leader preparing for succession, this conversation offers practical wisdom for building a company that thrives financially while remaining grounded in faith and focused on eternal impact. Subscribe, share, and connect with us at @abideandlead.   Episode Resources: Blue Trust Website: https://www.bluetrust.com/ About Brian Shepler: https://www.bluetrust.com/people/brian-shepler?advisor_email=brian.shepler%40bluetrust.com   Abide and Lead Resources: Abide and Lead: https://abideandlead.com/experiences The Heritage Forum: https://www.heritageforums.com/ Duane Donner's Word of the Week: https://abideandlead.com/wow Watch more episodes: https://abideandlead.com/podcast   Follow along on Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abideandlead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abideandlead

    28 | Protect the Mission - Brian Shepler

  2. Oct 20

    27 | Thank God it's Monday - Duane Donner

    What if your greatest opportunity to make an eternal impact isn't inside the church—but in the workplace where you spend most of your week? In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner explores what it means to keep the mission in the middle and why business leaders have a unique opportunity to bring their faith into the marketplace. Inspired by Church of the Highlands' Mission in the Middle series, Duane shares how discovering his identity in Christ transformed the way he approached business, leadership, and purpose. What began as a desire to build a successful company became a calling to use Founders Advisors as a platform for ministry, discipleship, and lasting Kingdom impact. Duane also shares practical examples from Founders Advisors, including Monday morning team connections, intentional prayer, personal encouragement videos, and leadership development practices that have helped shape the company's culture. This conversation is a reminder that you don't have to wait for a different job, a bigger platform, or a future season to live out your calling. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, business owner, or marketplace leader, God can use where you are right now to make a difference in the lives of the people around you. Subscribe, share, and connect with us at @abideandlead. Episode Resources: EQ Assessment : https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/eXFZHeXOGD6HCf3i0zXR/media/6ada0de1e8a959fb7a63f038.png Pastor Mark Pettus: How to Work and Win With People: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/10-04-2026  Pastor Chris Hodges Message on Passing the Torch: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/10-07-2026   Abide and Lead Resources: Abide and Lead: https://abideandlead.com/experiences The Heritage Forum: https://www.heritageforums.com/ Duane Donner's Word of the Week: https://abideandlead.com/wow Watch more episodes: https://abideandlead.com/podcast   Follow along on Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abideandlead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abideandlead

    27 | Thank God it's Monday - Duane Donner

  3. Oct 6

    26 | Building a Family That Lasts - Bill High

    What are you building in your family that will still matter generations from now? In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Bill High, founder of The Legacy Stone, for a powerful conversation about family, succession, stewardship, and building a legacy that extends far beyond your lifetime. Drawing from years of working with families, including helping the Hobby Lobby family navigate generational transition, Bill explains why successful succession starts with a fundamental shift: recognizing that what we've been given isn't ours to own, but ours to steward. But this conversation goes beyond transferring a business or financial wealth. It's about intentionally building a family that remains connected to God, connected to one another, and committed to making an impact for generations. Bill and Duane also challenge leaders to rethink the meaning of legacy. Legacy isn't simply what you leave behind, it's what you set in motion today. Whether you're a CEO thinking about succession, a parent raising children, or a grandparent considering the generations ahead, this conversation will challenge you to lead your family with the same intentionality you bring to your business and begin building a godly legacy that can endure for generations. Subscribe, share, and connect with us at @abideandlead.   Abide and Lead Resources: Abide and Lead: https://abideandlead.com/experiences The Heritage Forum: https://www.heritageforums.com/ Duane Donner's Word of the Week: https://abideandlead.com/wow Watch more episodes: https://abideandlead.com/podcast   Follow along on Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abideandlead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abideandlead

    26 | Building a Family That Lasts - Bill High

  4. Sep 15

    25 | Building a Multi-Generational Business - Wes Legg

    How do you build a company that can thrive without its founder at the center of everything? In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Wes Legg, President of Founders Advisors, for an inside look at the 13-year leadership journey that helped transform Founders from a founder-dependent business into an organization built to last for generations. Wes shares how he joined Founders at a pivotal moment when Duane was approaching burnout and the business needed more than additional production, it needed a stronger foundation. Together, they unpack what it took to build the right team, establish systems, clarify values, and create a structure capable of carrying the vision far beyond any one leader.  This conversation offers a practical look at succession from both sides: the founder learning to release control and the next-generation leader learning to carry the mission forward. Whether you're building your first leadership team or already thinking about who will lead after you, this episode will challenge you to start preparing now because the strongest companies aren't simply built to succeed today. They're built to flourish long after the founder steps aside. Subscribe, share, and connect with us at @abideandlead.   Abide and Lead Resources: Abide and Lead: https://abideandlead.com/experiences The Heritage Forum: https://www.heritageforums.com/ Duane Donner's Word of the Week: https://abideandlead.com/wow Watch more episodes: https://abideandlead.com/podcast   Follow along on Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abideandlead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abideandlead

    25 | Building a Multi-Generational Business - Wes Legg

  5. Sep 1

    24 | Intentional Leadership Transition - Mark Pettus

    In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Pastor Mark Pettus, Lead Pastor of Church of the Highlands, for a conversation about faith, business, leadership, and the power of living an integrated life.  Duane and Pastor Mark unpack a relationship built over decades and explore why business leaders aren't simply called to serve God on Sundays. Their workplace, relationships, influence, and leadership can become some of their greatest opportunities for ministry. Pastor Mark also takes listeners behind the scenes of his transition into leading Church of the Highlands sharing how years of relationship, shared values, intentional preparation, and ultimately God's timing helped prepare him to step into the role. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, pastor, or marketplace leader, this conversation is a powerful reminder that ministry isn't limited to a platform or a church building. When we're planted in the local church, abiding in Christ, and willing to use what God has given us to serve others, our everyday work can become a platform for eternal impact. Subscribe, share, and connect with us at @abideandlead.   Abide and Lead Resources: Abide and Lead: https://abideandlead.com/experiences The Heritage Forum: https://www.heritageforums.com/ Duane Donner's Word of the Week: https://abideandlead.com/wow Watch more episodes: https://abideandlead.com/podcast   Follow along on Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abideandlead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abideandlead

    24 | Intentional Leadership Transition - Mark Pettus

  6. Aug 18

    23 | Success to Succession - The Next Season of Leadership - Duane Donner

    In this final installment of the Impact CEO Summer Stories Series, Duane Donner shares the next chapter of the Founders Advisors story and why true leadership isn't measured by what you build, but by what continues long after you're gone. After decades of building a successful company, Duane opens up about the difficult but rewarding journey of transitioning from founder to steward, empowering the next generation of leaders, and creating a business designed to carry its mission for generations. This conversation is an honest look at leadership, legacy, and learning to let go so others can flourish. Whether you're leading a business, ministry, or family, this episode will challenge you to think differently about success, stewardship, and the legacy you're building for future generations. Subscribe, share, and connect with us at @abideandlead.   Abide and Lead Resources: Abide and Lead: https://abideandlead.com/experiences The Heritage Forum: https://www.heritageforums.com/ Duane Donner's Word of the Week: https://abideandlead.com/wow Watch more episodes: https://abideandlead.com/podcast   Follow along on Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abideandlead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abideandlead

    23 | Success to Succession - The Next Season of Leadership - Duane Donner

  7. Aug 4

    22 | Living for Something You Can't Lose - BJ Davis

    In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with B.J. Davis, co-founder of Grit Land Company and one of the founding members of the Abide & Lead community, for a deeply personal conversation about failure, redemption, and discovering your true identity in Christ. B.J. shares the incredible story of growing up in a strong Christian home, drifting from his faith, chasing success, and ultimately losing everything during the 2008 housing collapse. At rock bottom, with his marriage failing, his business gone, and nowhere to turn, God met him in a life-changing way. But this isn't just a story about salvation. It's about the years that followed as B.J. learned the difference between simply believing in God's grace and truly abiding in Christ every day. This is an honest conversation about grace, discipleship, and second chances. Whether you're leading a business, rebuilding after failure, or simply longing for a deeper walk with God, B.J.'s story is a powerful reminder that God isn't finished with your story yet. Subscribe, share, and connect with us at @abideandlead.   Episode Resources: Grit Land Company: https://gritlandco.com/   Abide and Lead Resources: Abide and Lead: https://abideandlead.com/experiences The Heritage Forum: https://www.heritageforums.com/ Duane Donner's Word of the Week: https://abideandlead.com/wow Watch more episodes: https://abideandlead.com/podcast   Follow along on Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abideandlead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abideandlead

    22 | Living for Something You Can't Lose - BJ Davis

  8. Jul 21

    21 | Building a Legacy Through People - Duane Donner

    How do you build a business that lasts long after you're gone? In this special installment of the Impact CEO Summer Stories Series, Duane Donner continues sharing the story behind Founders Advisors and the leadership lessons that transformed his business from a founder-dependent company into an organization built for long-term impact. Picking up after the 2008 financial crisis, Dwayne reflects on the season that led him to burnout and the pivotal decision to hire a leader who would eventually help build the systems, culture, and team that allowed the company to scale beyond himself. Along the way, he shares why leadership isn't about holding on to control, but empowering others to flourish. Whether you're leading a startup, growing a mature company, or thinking about your long-term legacy, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building a business that can thrive for generations while staying rooted in God's purpose. Subscribe, share, and connect with us at @abideandlead.   Abide and Lead Resources: Abide and Lead: https://abideandlead.com/experiences The Heritage Forum: https://www.heritageforums.com/ Duane Donner's Word of the Week: https://abideandlead.com/wow Watch more episodes: https://abideandlead.com/podcast   Follow along on Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abideandlead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abideandlead

    21 | Building a Legacy Through People - Duane Donner
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Impact CEO exists to inspire and equip Kingdom-minded business leaders to live fully integrated lives — where faith, leadership, and business integrate for eternal impact. Hosted by Duane Donner, Founder and CEO of Founders Advisors and Abide & Lead, each episode features authentic conversations with CEOs, founders, and industry leaders who are building companies that are making an eternal impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Duane Donner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    IMPACT CEO

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